Embattled Miami Dolphins offensive guard Richie Incognito will be out for the rest of the NFL season after having reached a financial settlement with his team, according to a special report from USA Today.
Incognito, who was, at the time of the report, suspended by the Dolphins, had come to terms with his team earlier today, according to an unnamed insider familiar with the situation. The person had spoken to USA Today and requested to remain anonymous as the agreement has yet to be confirmed to the public. Officially, the Dolphins released a terse statement summing up the situation, saying that “The Miami Dolphins and Richie Incognito have agreed to maintain his suspension during the ongoing NFL investigation.” Incognito, who may likely remain paid by the Dolphins as per terms of an earlier agreement, will be a free agent following the 2013 NFL season.
Incognito, 30, has been suspended by the Dolphins since November 3, after proof of alleged bullying and abuse was furnished by representatives for fellow offensive lineman Jonathan Martin. Martin, a second-round draft pick in the 2012 season, walked out from the Dolphins towards the end of October, citing “emotional” reasons. He also won’t be returning to the Dolphins this season, as he was placed on the team’s Reserve/Non-Football Illness List as of November 30, 2014.
It is alleged that Incognito had led other Dolphins in the harassment of Martin and other rookies, with the cases of bullying against Martin dating back to his rookie season in 2012, and Incognito accused of sending text messages and voice mails against Martin and his family following his suspension. Though many individuals, primarily unnamed team executives, have insinuated that Incognito’s chances of signing on with another team once he becomes a free agent may be slim due to his controversial history, several Dolphins, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill and defensive tackle Randy Starks, have defended Incognito and hinted that he and Martin are actually close friends who, like most of the team, push the boundaries when they “joke with each other.”
The NFL has since hired lawyer Ted Wells to investigate the Dolphins’ supposedly toxic locker room culture, and several Dolphins players, including Martin and Incognito, have already been interviewed. Wells will release his findings to the public once he has completed his investigation.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have been on a roll since the Incognito-Martin debacle, having won five of seven games since the start of November, including three consecutive wins. The team has the tentative second wild-card spot in the AFC, though there’s a possibility they may lose it should the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Detroit Lions in tonight’s game.